Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-15
DOGS DYING FOR SCIENCE.
Novel Method of Reproducing an Acct
dent-Treatment of a Patient

| Novel Method of Reproducing an Acct
dent-Treatment of Patient.
DR.. b. r. Curtis has been conducting a
series of experiments on living animals to as
certain, If possible, the effects of injuries III
| fiicted on and within the abdomen of man.
from the analogy with animals and the re-
suits of injuries to their bellies Also, the
best method of treating such accidents. His
paper gives the results of these inquiries, and
Is considered of especial interest by the pro-
fession. His experiments, or vivisections.
were chiefly performed at the Carnegie
laboratory. Among other experiments the
"buffer" accident was artificially REPRODUCED.
BY the buffer accident" is meant the acct
dent which SO frequently takes place in freight
yards caused by mans being mashed be-
tween the buffers OF two cars. 1t has always
proved fatal.
DR.. Curtis methotrof reproducing this acct
dent was quite novel. A large dog was given
sufficient ether to be put well under its effects.
while unconscious he was placed on the floor
on his back and heavy lead weights were
dropped on different parts of his abdomen
from various heights, to ascertain the amount
OF force necessary to rupture the organs
within the abdominal cavity-a matter about
which there has been much dispute among
surgeons, most of whom claim that very con-
siderable force is necessary
After the weight had been dropped the dog
was placed on the operating table He had
previously been thoroughly washed and had
his belly shaver clean. Stimulants, whisky
and atrophia were administered hypodermic-
ally, and an incision made down the middle
OF the belly from the region of the heart to
the grolns. The abdominal cavity was found
IN badly mangled state. The stomach and
other vlscera were badly broken up. Several
rupUureS were found in the intestines These
and all the other wounds were sutured after
the Lambert-Cz erney method and all washed
with antiseptic solutions after the blood
ciots, etc, had been successfully removed
Then the wound in the abdomen was closed.
and an ingenious set Of bandages affixed.
The dog was then taken to the cellar of the
building, where, with the jantors assistance.
DIR. Curtis had arranged dog hospital. An
empty coal vault ten by twelve feet in size
had been fitted with two dozen soap boxes |
placed along the walls, likes beds in hos |
pltal ward. Each box contained a bed of old |
cotton. and each bed dog There were dogs |
OF all sizes-great GROWERS and little bow
wows-each dog being secured to his bed with |
a chain. The dog who was the subject of the |
experiment above described was a very sick |
dog for several weeks, but pulled through.
and was made the subject of several subse-
quent experiments, until at last he died in
one of unusual severity. Almost every DOS
sible accident that occurs to the human abdo-
men from without was reproduced on the
dogs, and all the latest suggestions of the
most advanced scientists tested The number
IF dogs experimental on was large, most Of
hem losing their lives in the cause of science
New York Cor. Globe Democrat.